Three-Kyle Weave: How the Texas Win Changed Our Expectations for OSU

We’re back for another edition of The Weave where Kyles Porter, Boone and Cox explain how our expectations have changed after the big win over Texas, what we expect this weekend from Baylor, and then we dish on Tylan Wallace’s big season.

Boone: Did the Texas game change anything in your mind about what to expect for the rest of the season?

Cox: Sure it did. Before Saturday I still had that sinking feeling that OSU might not make a bowl. Now they can put all of that to bed this weekend. I’m still in a wait-and-see mode as to how good this team actually is, but it was a big win.

Porter: Sure, I think anytime you win a game as an underdog at this point in the year when teams are mostly fully formed, it changes expectations. I went into Texas thinking the last five were a toss-up. Now I expect OSU to beat Baylor and TCU.

Boone: I think it did for me too, only because they showed some fight/life that we hadn’t seen since … Boise (?). Maybe this was a get-back-on-track game they needed to rally for the tough stretch after Baylor.

Porter: Is… Tylan going to be a Biletnikoff finalist?

Cox: I don’t think so. Not this year. And I wonder if his targets are going to go down next year. Not saying he won’t be the No. 1 guy but I’ll be curious. Cornelius is zeroed in on him enough to make you consider scorned parents’ opinions.

Porter: Lol from me. Tyron did not leave the bayou for this.

Cox: I did not see Tyron’s career path following that of Brandon Sheperd’s.

Boone: I think yes. He has what you look for in a Biletnikoff finalist (and a fantasy WR, too): Volume. Cornelius’ first, second and third options appear to be Tylan on virtually every play. When you’re raking in double-digit targets every game, you’re bound to put up numbers, and thus, put yourself among the best receivers in the country.

Porter: I kinda think he could be, too. I think it all comes down to Bedlam. If he goes off and puts on Hollywood Brown’s shades to cap a 10-catch, 194-yard, 2-TD performance in a win, book it.

Boone: IDK if he ends up winning it, but he’s second among Power Five receivers in yards receiving this season to date.

Cox: I think he’s capable. I just agree with what Carson said on the pod. He’s not a household name yet, which seems to matter??

Porter: Who would you rather have back for the last four games: James Washington or Tre Flowers?

Boone: I would rather bring back Tre Flowers. He was pretty underappreciated on the whole. I think Tylan has pretty well shown he can at minimum fill in for Washington admirably, but replacing a multi-year starter in the secondary, as we’ve seen, is giving OSU fits. Flowers’ presence on the back end could lock down an otherwise young and inexperienced secondary.

Cox: Tre Flowers three times, and I think The Prez is underrated as an all-time receiver at OSU. It all comes down to need.

Porter: No doubt.

Are we worried about Waco? Gundy hasn’t won there since about four hairstyles ago.

Boone: I think I am more concerned about keeping momentum rolling and health at a level that will keep OSU competitive a weekend from Saturday when it faces OU. I don’t think Baylor is any good, frankly, which almost guarantees that OSU’s losing by four touchdowns this weekend.

Cox: Not really. Maybe I should be. That being said, I can also see a scenario where OSU goes down by three TDs in the first half to a true frosh QB.

Boone: I definitely think the uncertainty at QB going into this weekend is worrisome. If Charlie Brewer was for sure starting, I’d be a little more optimistic. But his status being what it is leaves the door open for a backup WR to torch OSU and gives me Chris Johnson 2015 flashbacks.

Porter: I think OSU has been beaten by more QBs who ended their career at a position other than QB than any other team in the country.

Wasn’t Johnson a TE or WR at Houston?!

Boone: He finished his career as a tight end at Houston. Hahaha.

Porter: Mah gosh. That OSU team was 10-0, too. Baylor had horses, though. Possibly illegally-purchased and bred horses, but horses nonetheless.

Cox: What Could Have Been: The Story of OSU’s 2015 Season if Baylor and Ole Miss were on the up and up.

Boone: Yeah that 10-0 record was a mirage, though. I watched that Baylor game in person and it was startling how out-manned OSU was. They whooped ’em. Just flat had way more talent.

Porter: A lot more.